Deck height control system

A deck height control system for use with a mower, the deck height control system comprising:

• a deck configured to connect to a mower and to support a blade motor, the deck positioned at a first height;
• a first deck lifting chain mounted to the deck such that vertical displacement of the first deck lifting chain vertically displaces at least a first portion of the deck;
• a first deck link bar connected to the first deck lifting chain by a first chain lift lever to translate axial rotation of the first deck link bar into vertical displacement of the first deck lifting chain;
• a second deck lifting chain mounted to the deck such that vertical displacement of the second deck lifting chain vertically displaces at least a second portion of the deck;
• a second deck link bar connected to the second deck lifting chain by a second chain lift lever to translate axial rotation of the second deck link bar into vertical displacement of the second deck lifting chain;
• a linkage rod connected to the first deck link bar and to the second deck link bar such that axial rotation of the second deck link bar generates axial rotation of the first deck link bar;
• an electric linear actuator having an extendable actuator arm, the actuator arm connected to the second deck link bar by an arm lever, such that displacement of the actuator arm generates axial rotation of the second deck link bar;
• a deck system module connected to the linear actuator and capable of signaling the linear actuator to displace the actuator arm a particular actuator arm distance and direction required to vertically displace the deck a particular deck distance and direction necessary to achieve a second height, the deck system module having a deck height memory;
• a foot control connected to the deck system module and capable of signaling the particular deck distance and direction to the deck system module when engaged by an operator,
• wherein the deck system module is configured to store the first height in the deck height memory and to return the deck to the first height when a sustained downward displacement signal is received from the control following an upward displacement signal;
• a blade motor controller connected to the deck system module;
• and
• a current sensor integrated within the blade motor controller and configured to sense blade motor current,
• wherein the blade motor controller is configured to signal the deck system module when the sensed current exceeds a predetermined high-load level,
• wherein the deck system module, upon receiving the signal from the blade motor controller, is configured to raise the deck from a starting height to a predetermined high-load height for a first predetermined time,
• wherein the deck system module is configured to lower the deck to the starting height once the first predetermined time has elapsed;
• and
• wherein the deck system module is configured to raise the deck from the starting height to the predetermined high-load height for a second predetermined time, the second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time, after the deck has been raised to the predetermined high-load height and lowered to the starting height a predetermined number of consecutive times.